Big Ideas Lab

Dark matter is one of the universe’s greatest mysteries. It’s the invisible force that glues galaxies together and sculpts cosmic structure. In this episode, we trace the journey of discovery from massive objects in the Milky Way to particle-scale experiments designed to reveal what dark matter really is. From gravitational microlensing to cutting-edge detectors at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, scientists are pushing the ...

Neutrinos are particles that defy expectations. They slip through matter effortlessly, changing identities and traveling vast cosmic distances. In this episode, we explore the surprising ways they connect the tiniest scales of physics to the grandest structures in the universe. From deep underground detectors to experiments designed to observe the unobservable, scientists at Lawrence Livermore are working to uncover secrets that co...

Every decision in national security hinges on knowledge, insight, and expertise - some of that expertise starts in a lab in Livermore. The Offsite Fellows Program places Lawrence Livermore scientists inside government agencies, where their work helps shape policy, strategy and the future of national defense.

In this episode, we dive deep into the Offsite Fellows Program (OFP) and how it positions Lab researchers shoulder to shoulder...

LLNL’s Energy Flow Charts have become one of the clearest ways to understand the nation’s energy system. Learn how these diagrams capture everything from pandemic shutdowns and shifting fuels to wasted energy we never see. From classrooms to Capitol Hill, these charts help the country plan for what comes next.

Guests featured (in order of appearance):

• Hannah Goldstein, System and Policy Analysis Group Leader, LLNL
• Kimberly Mayfiel...

Ancient footprints, unidentified remains, brain cells - they're all part of the story told through atoms, and at the Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (CAMS) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, those atoms speak volumes.

In this episode, we explore how Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) is helping scientists solve mysteries across time: from rewriting the timeline of human arrival in North America to closing decades-o...

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, scientists are developing high-repetition-rate lasers that fire thousands of times per second. In this episode, we’ll explore what these advanced lasers are and how they’re being used. From thermal challenges to breakthrough designs like the BAT laser, we’ll dive into what makes this new generation of lasers so powerful.

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Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. 

Executive Produced b...

Scientists are still adding to the periodic table and expanding what we know about matter. At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, researchers are creating entirely new elements that can’t be found in nature and exist for only moments. In this episode, we step into the world of superheavy element discovery to understand how these rare atoms are made, why they matter, and what they can teach us about the building blocks of the un...

Supernovas, asteroids, dark matter, and dark energy… the universe is constantly changing. Today we’ll dive into how we track what’s shifting in the night sky and how it shapes our understanding of The Universe. Through decades of experience in astrophysics, planetary science, and instrumentation, we explore Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s role in a groundbreaking project that will shape the future of astronomy: the Vera Ru...

For decades, Earth’s atmosphere has blurred images of both stars and galaxies, greatly restricting our ability to see the universe clearly from the ground.

But that all changed with the invention of the laser guide star.

Think of it as building an artificial star in the sky—one that helps telescopes correct atmospheric distortion in real time. It’s a technology that revolutionized ground-based astronomy, enabling discoveries from dis...

What’s it really like to intern at one of the nation’s premier science and national security labs? In this episode of The Big Ideas Lab, we follow the journey from first-day nerves to high-impact research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Featuring stories from fusion diagnostics to bioengineering breakthroughs, we hear from interns and mentors about the challenges, the discoveries - and the culture that makes it all possi...

The modern world is an onslaught of threats – from biological and radioactive to nuclear and chemical. At the Forensic Science Center at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab, chemists are working night and day to prevent the next catastrophe. 

In this episode, we’ll dive deeper into the world of Forensics and how its study can impact not only the quality of life – but the safety of every American.

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Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org ori...

A mysterious package. A silent explosion. And a phone call that would change the course of forensic science forever. 

In this gripping first part of our series, we trace the origins of the Forensic Science Center at Lawrence Livermore National Lab through a decades-spanning investigation that began with the Unabomber and grew into a global hub for solving the most complex scientific mysteries. From moon rocks to murder cases, drug o...

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, engineers and scientists are reimagining the way critical components for the U.S. nuclear stockpile are designed, tested, and produced. In this episode, we explore the Polymer Enclave - a groundbreaking collaboration with the Kansas City National Security Campus that has slashed production timelines from years to months. 

Discover how this partnership is transforming national security manuf...

What if scientists could use the peculiar world of quantum mechanics to design solutions once thought impossible - changing how we build, heal, and communicate?

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, researchers are developing quantum systems that could help us do just that. These machines think differently, tapping into the strange rules of quantum mechanics to simulate atomic interactions, unlock new materials, and reveal hidd...

Artificial intelligence is transforming how science is conducted at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. From accelerating drug discovery to optimizing complex experiments, AI is helping researchers work faster, smarter and with greater precision. Today we’ll explore how scientists are using Cognitive Simulation - an AI-driven approach that combines physics, data, and machine learning - to model the real world.

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Big Ideas Lab i...

From fusion experiments to cancer-fighting tech, the Jupiter Laser Facility is where bold ideas meet billion-watt lasers. In this episode, we go inside the lab where students and scientists alike get hands-on with some of the most powerful laser systems on Earth - turning science fiction into real-world breakthroughs, one laser shot at a time.

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Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. 

Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch and ...

Before a laser fires or a rocket launches, machinists make the mission possible. This episode explores the world of machining at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory—where skilled craftspeople transform raw materials into components for fusion research, national security, and space exploration. From time-tested manual tools to advanced digital manufacturing, machinists at the Lab combine traditional craftsmanship with modern tech...

In the vast silence of space, security is anything but quiet. At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, cutting-edge science and strategic defense converge to protect the satellites we rely on—guarding them from cyber threats, kinetic attacks, and space debris. As the risks above grow more complex, we’ll uncover the evolving dangers and the invisible shield being built to defend against them.

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Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org origi...